Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Student papers, 1930-1987 prepared for classes in history at the University of Michigan (primarily Michigan history class taught by Lewis G. VanderVelde, but also including research papers for classes taught by Sidney Fine and others); topics concern Michigan social and political history; Michigan biography and bibliography; and local community history.

The student papers are organized alphabetically by author in two series, which are similar in date range and topics covered. Topics of papers concern Michigan social and political history; Michigan biography and bibliography; local community history and University of Michigan history. A topical index to the papers is available in the first box of the collection.

Research papers, 1967-1979, of students in journalism at the University of Michigan; contain essays relating to the history of Michigan newspapers and journalists, and the development of radio and television broadcasting; include papers concerning newspapers in Adrian, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Grand Rapids, and the journalistic efforts of Father Charles Coughlin, Henry Ford, and Gerald L. K. Smith.

The Department of Journalism research papers collection measures 2 linear feet and consists solely of student research papers written between 1967 and 1979. The papers contain essays written regarding the history of various newspapers -- many in Michigan cities such as Adrian, Ann Arbor, Detroit and Grand Rapids; journalists and the journalistic efforts of individuals such as Father Charles Coughlin, Henry Ford, and Gerald L.K. Smith; and the development of radio and television broadcasting.

The surviving administrative records of the Department of Journalism were retained by its successor unit, the Department of Communication, and can be found in that department's records.

Social Service organization serving the Detroit African American community, affiliate of the National Urban League; includes minutes of the Board of Directors, correspondence and topical files of Executive Directors and Presidents, budgets and financial records, and papers concerning National Urban League conferences and Green Pastures Camp; also departmental files relating to community services, housing, vocational services, health and welfare, job development and employment, and education and youth incentives; and photographs.

The records of the Detroit Urban League include minutes of the Board of Directors, correspondence and topical files of Executive Directors and Presidents, budgets and financial records, and papers concerning National Urban League conferences and Green Pastures Camp; also departmental files relating to community services, housing, vocational services, health and welfare, job development and employment, and education and youth incentives. The records also include photographs of chapter activities, meetings, and ceremonies; photos of buildings and staff (notably executive directors, John Dancy and Francis Kornegay); also films.

Newsletters and minutes of executive committee of the Dav-Joy-Lin-Dex Community Council; newsletters of area block clubs; files relating to her community and organizational involvement; published materials; and photographs.

The McCauley collection consists of the records of the Dav-Joy-Lin-Dex Community Council but including as well files documenting McCauley's other community activities. Of most importance in understanding the work of the Council are its News Bulletins which date from 1960 to 1989. In addition to neighborhood news, the bulletins included notes about city government, particularly as they related to this local neighborhood. The News Bulletins were also the place where McCauley informed the community about the Council's various petition drives.

As executive secretary of the Council, McCauley wanted her group to act as a clearinghouse of information about matters of neighborhood concern. Her collection reflects this interest. Besides material about the Council, McCauley also preserved records about the various block clubs that made up the Council. The great bulk of these relate to the Dexter-Elmhurst Advisory Board, but there are also newsletters for the Glynn Court Block Club and the Calvert Civic Block Club.

Affiliate chapter of the National Urban League. Annual reports, minutes of board of directors, and subject files concerning the work of the league in matters of employment and other community services; also speeches and other files of Charles H. Mitchner, executive director.

The Greater Lansing Urban League records have been arranged into two series: Organizational Records and Programs and Topical Files. The Organizational records series consists of the minutes of the board of directors, audits, and annual and other reports. The Programs series includes files on the different activities of the League in matters of jobs, education and housing. This series also includes speeches and other files of Charles H. Mitchner, executive director of the League chapter.

Professor of history, civil rights activist, scholar of African American history. Family and professional correspondence, newspaper clippings, articles, reviews, and printed material reflecting her political activism, her interest in black history, the case of Robert Williams, and her scholarly interests.

The Gwendolyn Midlo Hall Papers, 1939-1998, are comprised of materials documenting the professional and personal life of a historian and civil rights activist. The collection is divided into four series: Personal and Biographical, Academic Career, and Writings.

Federal judge and former professor of law at the University of Michigan. Professional files relating to membership on board of directors of Amtrak, his work as chairman of the rules and credentials committee of the National Women's Conference, 1975, and as member of the executive committee of the Association of American Law Schools; also other files concerning his interest in labor arbitration cases, and his involvement in problems of affirmative action and minority rights at the University.

The Harry T. Edwards papers primarily document his tenure ad a board member and chairman of the board of AMTRAK. There are also files on University of Michigan Law School affairs and several labor arbitration cases in which Edward's participated. Other activities documented include his work as chairman of the rules and credentials committee of the National Women's Conference, 1975, and as member of the executive committee of the Association of American Law Schools; also other files concerning his interest in labor arbitration cases, and his involvement in problems of affirmative action and minority rights at the University.

Henry J. Meyer was a social worker and University of Michigan professor of sociology. Suzanne M. Meyer was secretary of the Ann Arbor Human Relations Commission, also assistant to the director of student activities and organizations at the University of Michigan. She was also involved both in the Tutorial and Cultural Relations Project and the Opportunity Awards Program. The collection includes professional papers and files relating to their travels and activities abroad.

Henry J. Meyer and Suzanne M. Meyer Papers include some material on his student days at the University of Michigan, files on his work for and controversial dismissal from the Washtenaw County Welfare Agency and his research and foreign travels. Suzanne Meyer's papers relate largely to he work with the Ann Arbor Human Relations Commission and her travels in Europe n 1950 and 1972. The Meyer Family collection is divided into three series: Henry Meyer, Travels and Foreign Activities, and Suzanne Meyer.

Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Scattered correspondence, and clippings detailing his career, church programs and printed material; also photographs.

The papers of Bishop Hubert N. Robinson are divided into six series: biographical, correspondence, clippings and scrapbooks, programs, A.M.E. printed material, and photographs.

African Methodist Episcopal pastor with churches in Albion and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Collection includes sermons, biographical materials, materials related to history of the church, scattered minutes of meetings, newspaper clippings, and photographs.

The John A. Woods papers measure 1.75 linear feet. The majority of the collection consists of sermons (1.5 linear feet). Because most of the sermons are undated, their original order has been retained. Other significant files concern Bethel AME Church. An audio cassette captures the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church in 1971, and a program documents the Burn the Mortgage Celebration service in 1989. Also found in the collection are miscellaneous church meetings minutes, dated 1982 and 1987.

The Biographical Materials folder includes biographical information about Reverend Woods, as well as letters of recommendation and/or appreciation, and tributes. Of importance are old school records, pastoral certificates and the program from Reverend Wood's funeral service on November 14, 1989. The Newspaper Clippings folder also contains a wealth of biographical information about Reverend Woods. Photographs date from circa 1930 and include images of Reverend Woods from a young man onwards, and pictures of groundbreaking and the completed Bethel AME Church. The Services folder contains programs of various services that took place in different AME churches. Miscellaneous material includes printed religious texts and a heavily annotated 1979-80 DBC Student Directory.